Muscat – The second edition of the Grape Festival concluded on Saturday, drawing thousands of visitors to the historic Jalab Farm in the village of Al Walia in South Batinah, where locally grown grapes, Omani traditions and sustainable farming practices took centre stage.

Held on Friday and Saturday, the festival was inaugurated by H E Ibrahim bin Saeed Al Busaidi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, underscoring the government’s commitment to preserving Oman’s agricultural heritage while promoting local products in line with  Vision 2040.

This year’s festival witnessed remarkable growth, with more than 3,000kg of locally grown grapes being sold, compared to 1,000kg during the inaugural edition last year. A total of 25 local farmers participated, showcasing over 15 varieties of grapes.

Spread over 5sqkm, the Jalab Farm is believed to be more than 500 years old. It is a treasured agricultural site jointly owned by a collective of landowners, with the Bahri family overseeing its management and cultivation.

Besides grapes, the fertile land also produces onions, garlic and corn benefiting from water that flows naturally from the surrounding mountains through wadis, distributed through a traditional falaj irrigation system alongside a large well. Farmers receive irrigation water according to a carefully organised schedule, ensuring fair distribution among all landowners.

Speaking during the festival, Amr bin Zakhari bin Zahar Al Fahdi, one of the organisers, described it as an investment in the country’s agricultural future.

“As part of the efforts to encourage grape cultivation, organisers planted and distributed 1,000 grape saplings in and around the region. The grape-growing season typically begins in December and continues until June or July, depending on weather conditions.”

Al Fahdi added that the organisers aim not only to promote agriculture in the village of Al Walia but throughout the wilayat of Al Awabi by encouraging more farmers to cultivate grapes.

Among the festival’s unique attractions was ‘Elixir of Times’, an exclusive signature beverage prepared by Jalab Café using grapes blended with several other ingredients, offering visitors a refreshing taste inspired by the area’s produce.

Visitors also had the opportunity to meet veteran farmers, including a 73-year-old cultivator who has worked on the farm since the age of 12. Reflecting on more than six decades of farming, he expressed pride in continuing to nurture the land that has sustained generations of local families. “It generally takes around two years before newly planted grape vines begin producing fruit. This festival will surely inspire younger generations to preserve the country’s farming heritage while creating new economic opportunities for rural communities.”